When a major emergency hits, a community can be impacted beyond their resources.

It is essential our communities be prepared for potential impacts, that a major emergency can create. From floods to earthquakes being prepared for an emergency may be your chance to survive until emergency services can arrive. Be prepared!

Emergency Checklist

Find out which disasters could occur in your area.

Ask how to prepare for each disaster.

Ask how you would be warned of an emergency.

Learn your community's evacuation routes.

Ask about special assistance for elderly or disabled persons.

Ask your workplace about emergency plans.

Learn about emergency plans for your children's school or day care center.

Create an Emergency Plan

Meet with household members. Discuss with children the dangers of fire, severe weather, earthquakes, and other emergencies.

Discuss how to respond to each disaster that could occur.

Discuss what to do about power outages and personal injuries.

Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark two escape routes from each room. Learn how to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at main switches.

Post emergency telephone numbers near telephones.

Teach children how and when to call 911, police, and fire.

Instruct household members to turn on the radio for emergency information.

Pick one out-of-state and one local friend or relative for family members to call if separated by disaster (it is often easier to call out-of-state than within the affected area).

Teach children how to make long distance telephone calls.

Pick two meeting places and be prepared.

A place near your home in case of a fire.

A place outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home after a disaster.

Take a Basic First Aid and CPR Class

Keep family records in a water-and fire-proof container.

Prepare a Disaster Supply Kit

Assemble supplies you might need in an evacuation. Store them in an easy-to-carry container, such as a backpack or duffle bag.

Include:

A supply of water (one gallon per person per day). Store water in sealed, unbreakable containers. Identify the storage date and replace every six months.

A supply of non-perishable packaged or canned food and a non-electric can opener.

A change of clothing, rain gear, and sturdy shoes.

Blankets or sleeping bags.

A first aid kit and prescription medications.

An extra pair of glasses if used.

A battery-powered radio, flashlight, and plenty of extra batteries.

Credit cards and cash.

An extra set of car keys.

A list of family physicians.

A list of important family information; the style and serial number of medical devices, such as pacemakers.